Cancer survivor Elle is competing in Formula Woman 2021

Elle Robertson, 25, from Tolleshunt D’Arcy, is no stranger to overcoming challenges.

Elle set her sights on becoming a professional motor racer when she was a teenager, but at just 19 years old found she had to fight cancer.

“Since I was younger I’ve loved all things cars and racing. I grew up watching Formula One and going to Goodwood Festival of Speed, as well as Essex Raceway arena a lot.

“I have always loved super cars, this was something I always looked at getting in to and when I was 18, I started looking more seriously as I decided this what I wanted to as a job.”

But this dream was put on hold when Elle was diagnosed with stage three ovarian cancer in 2015.

She underwent chemotherapy and an operation to remove the last of the tumours, being treated at the University College London Hospital in the Teenage Cancer Trust ward, as well as at the Macmillan Centre there.

“They were so supportive of me and still check in with me to this day,” Elle added.

Elle went into remission in October 2015 and has been clear ever since.

“After the chemotherapy, it took me about six months to get back to some sort of normal,” she said.

“I still have a few side effects now, like I don’t have full kidney function due to the chemo and I suffer more with fatigue than I used to.

“I also have to take vitamins every day as my body can’t hold on to them anymore.”

Sadly, there is a high chance she won’t be able to have children naturally due to the operation, although she will be given the option of IVF.

After she recovered, Elle did some karting and tracks days, although she decided to pursue a less adrenalin-fuelled job and now she works at a care home as a head chef.

But her love for speed endured.

Elle Robertson in her element

“I do love the job and love cooking, but racing is my passion so with the competition providing a chance of racing in a McLaren 570s GT4 race car, I couldn’t pass on this,” she said.

Elle entered the Formula Woman motor racing competition, and passed the online tutorial.

Earlier this month Elle went to a karting race night with Formula Woman at Daytona Sandown Park, her first official race.

And from the outset she demonstrated her true grit.

She said: “I started in tenth, but on the first corner I was involved a huge crash which dropped me down to 21st, last place.

“I wasn’t going to let anything stop after that and I finished sixth.”

Elle has an assessment day on September 19 in Anglesey, Wales, where her driving abilities as well as other skills will be scored.

She’ll be competing in the award-winning Vauxhall Corsa-e, a 100 per cent electric car.

The winners on the day will receive entry into the GT Cup Championship 2022, an established part of UK motorsport.

“Hopefully I will get though to the final 16, then we will go through winter testing to get a final seat in the car for 2022.”

In the competition next year, the women will compete against their male counterparts in a McLaren 570s GT4 race car.

Elle is also looking for a sponsor for the competition.

Everything she’s been through is what motivates her to keep working hard.

“I found out very young that it could have been over for me as I was close to being terminal, so I take every opportunity to do all the things I want to do, as you only live once.”

She added: “I look at life now as you only have one chance, so you can sit around and wish it was happening or you can get up and go out there and do it, which is what I do every day.

“I put my best into everything and if I don’t get the results I wanted at least I have had the experience.”

Follow Elle’s journey on Instagram, at bit.ly/38n9tuI.